Dana 20 or Dana 205?

[swyfor5]

I'm sure this has been done before, but it was brought to my attention that I might have a Dana 20 in my K5. Was in truck when bought it, and always thought it was a Dana 205. Here's a pic, any pros-cons?

[swyfor5]

Sorry guy's, me bad. I meant Dana 20 vs NP205 transfer case. Just trying to identify my t case. Never really heard of the dana 20, but want to know what I've got under there! Any feedback on the diff between the 20 and the 205? What I have found out is they used both in the first gen. K5's, right? Is the np205 better than the dana 20? Whatever it is thats in there has worked fine so far, but with the new build coming on I want to do it right! I just assumed it was a np205, as it sits behind a sm465 4 speed manual. I have never checked the serial #'s, or maybe I would have thought about it before!

[turp mcspray]

Hi, I remember seeing some info on this some time ago.
All automatics (th350), and I THINK the 4speeds,got the 205. And the 3speed manuals got the Dana 20. I think the base v8 enginetrans combo was 307/3spd manual. I have seen lots of plainjane blazer/jimmys with this setup. I will try to dig up my dealer brochure and verify this info. Also think dana20 had a lower low range. The 205 is the stronger of the bunch.
Hope this helps a little.

[Blazer1970]

Yes, that is a Dana 20 in your truck. The 205 is a stronger case, but the Dana 20 is strong enough for the application. I switched over to a 465/205 in mine since I found a donor truck with all of the parts I needed.

[swyfor5]

Any other opinions? If what I know so far is true, the dana 20 stays till it breaks! Oh, unless I find a sweet deal on a np205! Anybody seen a pto winch setup on one of these dana 20's? Pic's?

[swyfor5]

Ok, so far I have found that the dana 20 is a good t-case, but not as good as the np205. The 20 can be upgraded w/ lower gear setups, etc. I know the one I have has a few issues, and just want to know if I should rebuild/upgrade or swap?

[turp mcspray]

I found some info that I had. It says that all 3spd manual got the dana 20. If you ordered the opptional v/8 (350) then you had to also upgrade to a 4spd or th350 all of which came with 205. I see alot of early bronco guys wheel hard with a 20. It's kind of like having a 10bolt rear end in your chevy car instead of a 12bolt. It will probably work fine but isn't as sexy as having the other. HaHa!

[swyfor5]

Trying to remember when I ran my Vin #, it showed K5 came with V8 motor, and manual trans. I don't know, but it doesn't appear that the steering column and trans/tcase "hump" have been changed. That would rule out a 3 speed trans being original. Like I said I don't know, as I bought this K5 used, from a dealer in Salt Lake City, Utah back in 1981.

[Jtrux]

For what it's worth, IIRC the first Bigfoot had a Dana 20 in it. Just saying...

[swyfor5]

Cool fact! Unless I'm steered different, I'm going with the 20. Kinda because it's already there, and it seems to work fine. Maybe think about upgrading to lower gear setup, etc. I just want to know, cause it's all coming out eventually for the resto!

[Blazer1970]

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

I found some info that I had. It says that all 3spd manual got the dana 20. If you ordered the opptional v/8 (350) then you had to also upgrade to a 4spd or th350 all of which came with 205. I see alot of early bronco guys wheel hard with a 20. It's kind of like having a 10bolt rear end in your chevy car instead of a 12bolt. It will probably work fine but isn't as sexy as having the other. HaHa!

Some of these Blazers came with a 465 mated to a Dana 20. That is what the OP in this thread has.

[Yukon Jack]

Yep, my 1970 K5 has an SM465 and originally had the Dana 20.

[swyfor5]

Yukon, why did you swap out the 20? Any problems swapping in a 205? Just asking?

[Yukon Jack]

Prior owner broke it, probably doing something really stupid based upon the fact that once I finally got the vehicle ready to fire up, I found it also had a bent rod. Transfer case was out when I bought the vehicle and just made sense to step up to the NP205 when I replaced it.

[swyfor5]

Remember what broke on it? Just "looking" for the weak link!

[swyfor5]

Anybody know the real story on how dana 20's ended up in some 1st. gens? Really thinking about dumping it and swapping in a np205. Am probably going to have the 20 torn down and gone through for the resto. But if I'm going that far I might as well upgrade to the 205! Decisions, decisions, decisions!

[Blazer1970]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Anybody know the real story on how dana 20's ended up in some 1st. gens? Really thinking about dumping it and swapping in a np205. Am probably going to have the 20 torn down and gone through for the resto. But if I'm going that far I might as well upgrade to the 205! Decisions, decisions, decisions!

The real story?? That is what GM decided to use. The Dana 20 was used in both the Bronco and the Scout at the time so GM probably thought it would work well in their "bobtail" also.

If I were you, I would look for a 205 also. Just a much better set-up in every respect.

[Yukon Jack]

No idea what he broke, it was not with the vehicle when I bought it.

[swyfor5]

Well, it looks like it's time to upgrade to the np205! Why put any money in the 20, when I'm going to resto the K5 the "right" way. Gotta love this forum for good info! Any major changes I have to do to go with the np205, or is it a direct bolt in? Plan on some new t-case mounts, and the 1 ton thing , anything else?

[69TowRig]

Even if the truck had a 3-speed it would have the high hump transmission tunnel since it is a 4x4. Mine is the original 307/3-spd/Dana20.

[Beelzeburb]

I've still got the whole 307/3 speed/D20 laying around from my Blazer and I can't seem to find soemone locally who'll pay for it.

Anyone know definitively which ratio the Blazer Dana 20 had? After a quick search, most sources state it has a 2.00:1 low range, while the NP205 is a 1.96:1. Doesn't seem like there would be much gain in simply switching t-cases because either one is a strong, all gear driven case.

Of course, if you were going with some sort of a doubler I could see the trouble.

[swyfor5]

Ok, enough is enough! I think I have decided to go with the np205. My next question is should I look for a used one for a possible rebuild, or would it be better to go with a aftermarket t-case? Really trying to save the $ starting out, but want to do it only once!

[swyfor5]

Dug out my old Clymer super shop manual for trucks. In the transfer case chapter it states- it provides removal, installation, and overhaul procedures for the Dana 20 and New Process 203,205,and 208 t-cases. Say's the dana 20 t-case is a manual shift, 2 speed t-case used in 1970-1975 vehicles. Goes on to say the New Process 205 t-case is a manual shift, 2 speed, part-time t-case used in 1970-on models. Hmmm! Oh, by the way, the Clymer manual covers from 1970-1985!

[Beelzeburb]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Goes on to say the New Process 205 t-case is a manual shift, 2 speed, part-time t-case used in 1970-on models. Hmmm! Oh, by the way, the Clymer manual covers from 1970-1985!

Yep, they were made through 1993 AFAIK. Start scouring the junkyards and looking for that idler shaft cover.

Check out this ID guide:
http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Tra...ID%20Guide.htm

[Blazer1970]

Yes, different adapter and the crossmember needs to drop about an inch or so.